EASTBOURNE RATES

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 213, 6 June 1927, Page 10

EASTBOURNE RATES

ANOTHER INCREASE THIS YEAR LARGER HOSPITAL LEVY “COUNCIL HAS NO ALTERNATIVE” Ratepayers in the borough of Eastbourne will be faced this year with increased rates, due to the increased hospital levy and additional special rates, which the council had no option but to levy. General rates and the sanitation fee, however, remain the same as last year. The general rate on the unimproved value (£135,478) of all rateable property in the borough of Eastbourne is s|d. in: the £l. The hospital rate is 1 7-16 of a penny in the £l. There is a compulsory special rate of 1 5-16 d. in the £1 under the provisions of the Eastbourne Borough Bank Account and Empowering Act, 1926. The No. 2 loan account of £4500 involves a special rate of 13-32 of a penny in the £1; the No. 1 new steamer loan of £50,000 (1923), a special rate of 6d. in-the £1; and the No, 2 steamer loan of £B5OO (1925) a special rate of I 3-32 of a penny in the £l. The new special rate is one of 1 5-8 of a penny on the ferry loan of £13,900 (1913). The annual sanitation fee of 30s. on all rateable property having a building erected on it, and from which the council is prepared to remove all refuse and nightsoil, remains the same. Following are the estimates' tlfor the year ending March 31, 1928:— Revenue: General rate of s|d. in the £1 on the unimproved value, £3105 ss. 2d.; Government subsidy, £187. 105.; sanitation fees, £750; rents, £115; tennis courts, £175; proportion heavy traffic licenses, £100; by-law fees and dog registration, £2OB 10s.; Council Chambers, £6O; penalty on rates, royalties, and sundries, £lO6 12s. 9d. Total, £4807 17s. lid.' . ’ \ • ■ Expenditure.—Administration, £660; Council Chambers, £5O; reserves, £200; elections and. polls, £7O; sanitation and public health, £610; street maintenance, £900; Wellington City and .Suburban Highways Board, £200; formation, metal, and culvert south of Miro Street, £300; widening Windy Point and removing polls, £550; street lighting, £355; tennis courts, £100; Mayor’s honorarium, £75; insurances, £25; borough house maintenance, £25; interest on land purchase, £163 18s.; fire brigade, £76; revising valuation roll andnew roll, £100; free ambulance service, £5O; unauthorised expenditure, £5O; contractors’ deposits, £52 2s. 6d,! survev £43 and legal expenses Marine Parade, £6O; rents, £29; sundries, £63 ss. 9d.; contingencies, £l9 Ils. Bd. Total, £lBO7 17s.'lid. “It was found necessary,’? stated the of Eastbourne (Mr. H. M. Jones), “to make some.increase in several of the special rates for the present vear. No increase has, however, been made in the general rate, although several large sums have to be found this year, notably the payment, for the-widening nt Windy. Point, which is estimated' to .involve approximately £5OO. An increase in the hospital and charitable aid rate was , compulsory, owing to the increased levy of £224.” Referring to the special overdraft bank account. Mr. Jones pointed out 'that a special rate was necessary in terms of the legislation of 1926, which required the Borough Council to make payments of approximately £715 per annum until the principal’ was wiped out. The total amount owing -was about £4500. Mr. Jones.also remarked that the council had been comnelled to strike a special rate of lid. as security for the No. 1 loan of £13.900. “This rate,” added Mr. Jones, “has not hitherto been struck, but information in possession, of the council compels them to.strike it this year. All other rates remain • the same as last year. - (■ , , “However much it is to be regretted, for this vear at .least, the increase is unavoidable In the • years cone by certain latitude has been allowed, but we are advised that in future we must square accounts or take personal responsibility. This makes . members careful, and T sincerely trust that the ratepayers will appreciate the fact that the increases have onlv, been agreed, to as there is no alternative.” . . ■